Em 15 segundos
- To give up on something permanently.
- To accept that a plan is no longer possible.
- Used with 'sur' to indicate the lost object or goal.
Significado
It means to give up on something or accept that it won't happen. It's like saying 'kiss it goodbye' or 'forget about it' after a disappointment.
Exemplos-chave
3 de 6Talking about cancelled travel plans
Avec la grève, j'ai dû faire une croix sur mon week-end à Lyon.
With the strike, I had to give up on my weekend in Lyon.
Discussing a budget cut at work
Nous devons faire une croix sur le nouveau projet marketing.
We have to scrap the new marketing project.
Texting a friend about a crush
Il ne m'a pas rappelé... Je fais une croix sur lui.
He didn't call me back... I'm done with him.
Contexto cultural
In France, the 'croix' is a symbol of administrative finality. It's linked to the way teachers grade papers—a cross means 'wrong' and 'move on'. In Quebec, while the phrase is understood, you might also hear 'tirer un trait' or more anglicized expressions, but 'faire une croix' remains the standard for formal disappointment. In countries like Senegal or Ivory Coast, the phrase is used frequently in business and daily life to express that a deal is dead. Belgian French uses this idiom identically to France, often in the context of politics or sports (especially cycling or football).
Use 'dessus' for objects
If someone asks about your lost keys, don't say 'J'ai fait une croix sur elles.' Say 'J'ai fait une croix dessus.' It sounds much more native.
Don't use for people you like
Saying 'Je fais une croix sur toi' is a very strong way to end a friendship. Use it only if you mean it!
Em 15 segundos
- To give up on something permanently.
- To accept that a plan is no longer possible.
- Used with 'sur' to indicate the lost object or goal.
What It Means
Imagine you have a checklist of dreams. You take a big red marker. You draw a giant X over one item. That is faire une croix sur. It means you are giving up. You realize a goal is now impossible. It is more than just a compromise. It is a final goodbye to an idea. You are moving on because you have to. It feels a bit sad but also decisive.
How To Use It
You use it with the preposition sur. You can say faire une croix sur followed by a noun. For example, faire une croix sur les vacances. You can also use it with a person. This means you are cutting them out. It is a very strong way to speak. Use it when you are frustrated or realistic. It shows you have accepted a loss.
When To Use It
Use it when your plans fall through. Maybe your car broke down. Now you must faire une croix sur your road trip. Use it in professional settings too. Perhaps a budget was cut. You must faire une croix sur the new office coffee machine. It works well when venting to friends. It adds a dramatic, visual flair to your disappointment. It sounds very natural in daily French conversation.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for small, temporary delays. If dinner is just late, don't use it. Only use it if dinner is totally canceled. Avoid using it for positive choices. You don't 'cross out' something you never wanted. It implies a sense of loss or sacrifice. Also, be careful using it with people's names. It sounds very harsh and permanent. It is like saying they are dead to you.
Cultural Background
This phrase has religious roots in France. It refers to the sign of the cross. Historically, making a cross marked the end of something. It was used to seal a deal or a grave. Today, it has lost the religious weight. Now it is just a common everyday idiom. It reflects the French tendency toward realism. Sometimes life is hard, and you just 'cross it out'.
Common Variations
You might hear tirer un trait sur. This means 'to draw a line through'. It is very similar in meaning. Faire une croix dessus is also common. This means 'to make a cross on it'. Use this when the topic is already known. It is a great way to end a complaining session. It signals that you are done talking about it.
Notas de uso
The phrase is neutral and very versatile. It is built with the verb `faire`, which must be conjugated to match the subject and tense.
Use 'dessus' for objects
If someone asks about your lost keys, don't say 'J'ai fait une croix sur elles.' Say 'J'ai fait une croix dessus.' It sounds much more native.
Don't use for people you like
Saying 'Je fais une croix sur toi' is a very strong way to end a friendship. Use it only if you mean it!
The 'Accounting' vibe
Remember the origin is about money. It's very common in business French when a deal falls through.
Exemplos
6Avec la grève, j'ai dû faire une croix sur mon week-end à Lyon.
With the strike, I had to give up on my weekend in Lyon.
Shows a forced change of plans due to external factors.
Nous devons faire une croix sur le nouveau projet marketing.
We have to scrap the new marketing project.
Used here to mean 'cancel' or 'abandon' in a professional setting.
Il ne m'a pas rappelé... Je fais une croix sur lui.
He didn't call me back... I'm done with him.
A common way to say you are moving on from someone.
Tu peux faire une croix sur tes dix euros, il ne te les rendra jamais !
You can kiss your ten euros goodbye, he'll never give them back!
Adds a humorous touch of cynical realism.
Après sa blessure, il a fait une croix sur sa carrière de danseur.
After his injury, he gave up on his career as a dancer.
Used for a significant, life-altering decision.
Le candidat a fait une croix sur ses ambitions politiques.
The candidate has abandoned his political ambitions.
Fits well in news reporting or formal writing.
Teste-se
Complete the sentence with the correct preposition and noun form.
J'ai perdu mes clés dans la forêt, je peux faire une croix ______.
When referring to an inanimate object (keys) with a pronoun in this idiom, 'dessus' is the correct form.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I've given up on my dream'?
Comment dit-on 'I've given up on my dream'?
The idiom is 'faire une croix sur'.
Match the situation to the correct use of the phrase.
Match: 1. Un prêt non remboursé, 2. Un vol annulé, 3. Un ex-copain.
Each context fits the idiom perfectly.
What would the second speaker say?
Speaker A: 'Tu penses que le patron va nous donner une prime ?' Speaker B: 'Non, avec les mauvais résultats...'
'Dessus' replaces 'la prime'.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosJ'ai perdu mes clés dans la forêt, je peux faire une croix ______.
When referring to an inanimate object (keys) with a pronoun in this idiom, 'dessus' is the correct form.
Comment dit-on 'I've given up on my dream'?
The idiom is 'faire une croix sur'.
Match: 1. Un prêt non remboursé, 2. Un vol annulé, 3. Un ex-copain.
Each context fits the idiom perfectly.
Speaker A: 'Tu penses que le patron va nous donner une prime ?' Speaker B: 'Non, avec les mauvais résultats...'
'Dessus' replaces 'la prime'.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasYes, but it's harsh. It means you are giving up on them or cutting them out of your life.
It is always 'une croix'. Using 'la' is a common mistake for learners.
'Abandonner' is a general verb. 'Faire une croix sur' is more idiomatic and emphasizes the mental acceptance of the loss.
Yes, it is acceptable in business contexts to describe a project or a lead that is no longer viable.
Use the passé composé: 'J'ai dû faire une croix dessus.'
Yes, 's'asseoir sur quelque chose' is the slang (and slightly vulgar) equivalent.
Not in modern usage, though the word 'croix' (cross) has religious roots.
No, it's usually for something significant like a plan, a sum of money, or a relationship.
There isn't a direct idiomatic opposite, but 's'accrocher à' (to cling to) or 'persévérer' are good contrasts.
Yes, it is a standard idiom across the Francophonie.
Frases relacionadas
tirer un trait sur
synonymTo draw a line through something/the past.
faire son deuil de
similarTo mourn the loss of something.
laisser tomber
informalTo drop it / let it go.
passer l'éponge
contrastTo wipe the slate clean / forgive.
